Mr. Joe Louis Watkins

Joe Watkins was born November 30, 1954 to Eugene and Hattie Watkins in Saint Louis, Missouri. He attended Attucks Elementary for grade school then McKinley High for high school. He advanced to higher education by attending Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE)where he received his degree in engineering. He also served our country as a United States Marine.

Joe was not only intelligent but he also had a loving, caring, and outgoing personality. He loved baseball, basketball, and listening to music.

Joe was united in holy matrimony to his beloved wife Octavia Watkins where they shared a beautiful life together for 40 years. He also worked 40 years as a Maintenance Man to provide for the family.

Joe departed this life and joined our Father in heaven on Thursday, September 4, 2025. He is preceded in death by his Father, Eugene Watkins; Mother, Hattie Watkins; Brothers: Timothy and John Watkins, Sisters: Retha Young, Kimberly and Caren Watkins.

He is survived by his wife, 8 siblings Martha McGee (James McGee), Ora Auslur (Rodney Auslur), Durone Watkins, Eugene Watkins (Margaret Jackson-Watkins), Letha Evans (Charles Evans), Katherine Tabors (Sammie Tabors), Michelle Murray (Willis Murray), Flora Bruce (Vernon Bruce), his special niece Bessie Clark, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.